In Memory

Brenda and I went to Bradley Elementary School and North Bethesda Junior School together. She was one of the tallest girls in school with straight, blonde hair. Brenda was friendly. We didn’t have classes together in high school. When I tried finding Whitmanites in the late 90s and early 2000s, I did catch up with her. I am sorry to see that she passed away 10 years ago.

Most of my memories of Brenda are from Bradley Elementary School. Very funny and VERY tall. She and her brother built a small roller-coaster in the back yard. I think they charged 25 cents per ride... and I was oh-so envious. We didn't associate much but, when we did, she was always nice. Some things never change. Sad to see the passing of another Bradley alum. I was hoping to catch-up with her at the 50th reunion.

This news about Brenda Yost makes me very sad. Brenda and I grew up together. She lived around the corner from me and we went all the way through Bradley Elementary and North Bethesda Junior High together. The roller coaster that she and her brother David built in their backyard was a neighborhood landmark for years. You had to see it to believe it. What ordinary kid does a thing like that? She was the only girl that I knew who was brave enough to go down into the underground storm drains in our neighborhood. That took guts. And yes, she was very tall, and very smart and beautiful. We reconnected in 1998 and corresponded for a while, during which we shared old stories of our neighborhood adventures and she showed she still had her wonderful sense of humor. I wish I’d stayed in touch. It’s too late now.

I found out that she had passed away from a conversation with David, her brother. She had a unfortunately aggressive cancer. One of my childhood friends and a good hearted person.. too many stories to tell.

Brenda and I were good friends at Bradley Elementary. I spent many an after school afternoon at her house where I would stop on my way home. I was never brave enough to ride the roller coaster, but I agree with Martin, it was a spectacular feat to build and only the truly brave rode it. I remember they had a grain mill in the basement and it was always great fun to grind the grain and create flour. I don't remember making anything with the flour but I suspect her mother benefited from our efforts in her baking. She was fun loving, smart and had a great laugh.